System and method for selecting and providing zone-specific media

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing zone-specific media to a user. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method that flexibly selects and provides media content (e.g., audio content), where such content is selected based, at least in part, on a user location (e.g., location within a premises).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present application is related to U.S. application Ser. No.14/725,904, filed concurrently herewith, titled “Multi-zone Media Systemand Method for Providing Multi-zone Media,” and U.S. application Ser.No. 14/726,019, filed concurrently herewith, titled “System and Methodfor Providing User Location-based Multi-zone Media,” the contents ofeach of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

SEQUENCE LISTING

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND

Present systems and methods for presenting audio, for example presentingaudio to a user as the user moves throughout a premises, are inadequate.Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such approaches with the present disclosure as set forthin the remainder of the present application with reference to thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrateexamples of the present disclosure and, together with the description,serve to explain various principles of the present disclosure. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example multi-zone media environment, inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an example method for providingzone-specific media, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an example method for providingzone-specific media, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example media system for providingzone-specific media, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example media system for providingzone-specific media, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an example method for providingzone-specific media, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method forselecting and providing zone-specific media to a user. As a non-limitingexample, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and methodthat flexibly selects and provides media content (e.g., audio content),where such content is selected based, at least in part, on a userlocation (e.g., location within a premises).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following discussion presents various aspects of the presentdisclosure by providing various examples thereof. Such examples arenon-limiting, and thus the scope of various aspects of the presentdisclosure should not necessarily be limited by any particularcharacteristics of the provided examples. In the following discussion,the phrases “for example,” “e.g.,” and “exemplary” are non-limiting andare generally synonymous with “by way of example and not limitation,”“for example and not limitation,” and the like.

As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer tophysical electronic components (i.e. hardware) and any software and/orfirmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by thehardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As usedherein, for example, a particular processor and memory may comprise afirst “circuit” when executing a first one or more lines of code and maycomprise a second “circuit” when executing a second one or more lines ofcode. Similarly, the term “module” may be utilized herein to refer to apure hardware module and/or a hybrid hardware/software module (e.g., aprocessor that operates in accordance with software instructions storedin a memory or other non-transitory medium).

As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in thelist joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any elementof the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and/ory” means “one or both of x and y.” As another example, “x, y, and/or z”means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x,z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means “one ormore of x, y, and z.” As utilized herein, the term “exemplary” meansserving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. Asutilized herein, the terms “e.g.” and “for example” set off lists of oneor more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. As utilizedherein, circuitry is “operable” to perform a function whenever thecircuitry comprises the necessary hardware and code (if any isnecessary) to perform the function, regardless of whether performance ofthe function is disabled or not enabled (e.g., by a user-configurablesetting, factory trim, etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexamples only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. Asused herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural formsas well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will befurther understood that the terms “comprises,” “includes,” “has,”“comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another element. Thus, for example, a first element, afirst component or a first section discussed below could be termed asecond element, a second component or a second section without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure. Similarly, various spatialterms, such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” and the like, may be used indistinguishing one element from another element in a relative manner. Itshould be understood, however, that components may be oriented indifferent manners, for example a device may be turned sideways so thatits “top” surface is facing horizontally and its “side” surface isfacing vertically, without departing from the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

Various aspects of the present disclosure comprise a multi-zone mediasystem and method for providing multi-zone media. As a non-limitingexample, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and methodthat flexibly selects and provides media content (e.g., audio content),where such content is selected based, at least in part, on a userlocation (e.g., location within a premises).

The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will be describedin or be apparent from the following description of various exampleimplementations.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example multi-zone media environment 100, inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

The example environment 100 comprises a variety of loudspeakers andgroups thereof, spaced throughout an example premises (e.g., a home orprivate residence, office, campus, etc.). The discussion of variousexamples herein will often refer to the example environment 100. Thoughthe example environment 100 is generally presented in the context ofaudio media presentation, it should be understood that the exampleenvironment 100 and all examples presented herein readily extend to thepresentation of other forms of media (e.g., video media). Additionally,though the example environment 100 as discussed herein generally focuseson areas (or zones) within a premises structure, it should be understoodthat a premises, unless otherwise specified, in this discussiongenerally includes outdoor areas (e.g., a patio, deck, driveway, yard,etc.) as well as indoor areas.

The example environment 100 may, for example, comprise a first group ofloudspeakers 110, which may also be referred to herein as a zone. Thefirst group of loudspeakers 110 may, for example, correspond to a firstarea (or audio zone) of a premises, for example a family room, mediaroom, etc. The first group of loudspeakers 110 may, for example,comprise a central media controller 111. The central media controller111 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of central mediacontrollers (e.g., an entertainment center, audio receiver, home mediahub, home audio server, general purpose computer operating in accordancewith software instructions, an Internet media access point or contentserver, etc.). The central media controller 111 may generally, forexample, manage the presentation of media content throughout the exampleenvironment 100. Though the example environment 100 is generally shownand discussed as having a central media controller 111, it should beunderstood that the environment 100 may also operate in a mesh-type ordecentralized configuration. For example, as will be discussed herein,any of the media presentation devices (e.g., loudspeakers, etc.)discussed herein may perform any or all of the control functionalitydiscussed herein.

The first group of loudspeakers 110 may also, for example, comprise afirst (e.g., front left) loudspeaker 112, a second (e.g., front right)loudspeaker 113, a third (e.g., rear right) loudspeaker 114, and afourth (e.g., rear left) loudspeaker 115. The central media controller111 may also, for example, comprise a loudspeaker. Each of the firstgroup of loudspeakers 110 may, for example, be operated independently ormay be operated as a single group. Each of the first group ofloudspeakers 110 may, for example, operate under the control of thecentral media controller 111 and/or operate autonomously. Note that thedesignations of the loudspeakers as left, right, front, rear, center,etc. may, but need not, refer to audio spatial arrangements generallysynonymous with various loudspeaker arrangements (e.g., stereo, surroundsound, monaural, etc.).

The example environment 100 may also, for example, comprise a secondgroup of loudspeakers 120. The second group of loudspeakers 120 may, forexample, comprise a first (e.g., right) loudspeaker 121 and a second(e.g., left) loudspeaker 122. The second group of loudspeakers 120 may,for example, correspond to a second area (or audio zone) of a premises,for example a kitchen or dining room, a break room, etc. Each of thesecond group of loudspeakers 120 may, for example, be operatedindependently or may be operated as a single group. Each of the secondgroup of loudspeakers 120 may, for example, operate under the control ofthe central media controller 111 and/or operate autonomously. Also forexample, any or all of the second group of loudspeakers 120 may operatewith any or all of the other loudspeakers in the environment 100.

The example environment 100 may additionally, for example, comprise athird group of loudspeakers 130. The third group of loudspeakers 130may, for example, comprise a first (e.g., central) loudspeaker 131, asecond (e.g., right) loudspeaker 132, and a third (e.g., left)loudspeaker 133. The third group of loudspeakers 130 may, for example,correspond to a third area (or zone) of a premises, for example a masterbedroom, garage, shop, etc. Each of the third group of loudspeakers 130may, for example, be operated independently or may be operated as asingle group. Each of the third group of loudspeakers 130 may, forexample, operate under the control of the central media controller 111and/or operate autonomously. Also for example, any or all of the thirdgroup of loudspeakers 130 may operate with any or all of the otherloudspeakers in the environment 100.

The example environment 100 may further, for example, comprise aloudspeaker 141 in a fourth area (or room or zone) (e.g., in a masterbath), a loudspeaker 151 in a fifth area (e.g., in a guest bath), aloudspeaker 161 in a sixth area (e.g., in a guest room), and aloudspeaker 171 in a seventh area (e.g., in an office). Though manyexamples presented herein include audio content presentation examples,the scope of this disclosure is not limited to audio content.

Referring next to FIG. 2, such figure is a flow diagram of an examplemethod 200 for providing zone-specific media, in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure. The example method 200 may, forexample, share any or all characteristics with the other methodsdiscussed herein (e.g., with regard to FIGS. 3 and 6). For example, anyor all blocks of the example method 200 may be integrated into any ofsuch methods and vice versa. The example method 200, or any portionthereof, may be implemented at a loudspeaker, a central mediacontroller, a television, an audio presentation system, a personalcomputing system, a plurality of system components, a distributed systemcomprising local and remote components, any of a variety of types ofmedia presentation systems, etc.

The example method 200 begins executing at block 205. The example method200 may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causes orconditions. The method 200 may, for example, begin executing when amedia presentation system implementing the method 200 is powered up,reset, or turned on. The method 200 may also, for example, beginexecuting when a media presentation system implementing the method 200receives a command from a user to present audio content and/or topresent audio content in a manner that permits the user to flexibly playor transfer music to various zones (e.g., receiving a command directlyat the system, receiving a command from a remote controller, receiving acommand from a user's smart phone, etc.). The method 200 may further,for example, begin executing in response to the media presentationsystem (e.g., a controller, loudspeaker, etc.) exiting from a sleepmode. Also for example, the method 200 may begin executing in responseto detecting a user input (e.g., a touch command, a voice command, etc.)at a component of the media presentation system (e.g., at a loudspeaker,at a controller, at a sensor independent of a loudspeaker or controller,etc.). Additionally, for example, the method 200 may begin executing inresponse to detecting a user input at a sensor physically independent ofyet communicatively coupled to a media presentation system or acomponent thereof (e.g., a sensor of a security system, home automationsystem, etc.). Still further for example, block 205 may receiveexecution flow from any of the blocks of the example method 200 and/orfrom any flow diagram block discussed herein (e.g., at FIGS. 3 and 6).Also for example, block 205 may begin executing in response to a messagereceived from a remote server (e.g., from a content provider). Ingeneral, the method 200 may begin executing in response to any of avariety of causes or conditions. Accordingly, the scope of thisdisclosure should not be limited by characteristics of any particularinitiating cause or condition.

The example method 200 may, at block 210, comprise determining (ortracking) user location within a premises. Block 210 may comprisedetermining user location in any of a variety of manners. For example,block 210 may comprise utilizing an array of sensors to determine userlocation. Such sensors may, for example, be integrated with aloudspeaker and/or loudspeaker system implementing one or more of theaspects of the method 200 (e.g., included on or within a loudspeakerenclosure, controller enclosure, etc.). Also for example, such sensorsmay generally be associated with another system (e.g., a home securitysystem, premises-based wireless communication network, home controlsystem, etc.) that is communicatively coupled to a media presentationsystem implementing one or more of the aspects of the method 200. Forexample, a media presentation system that generally operates to presentmedia content (e.g., audio content, video content, etc.) to a user maybe integrated with such other systems to leverage their user-locating ortracking capabilities.

Block 210 may comprise determining user location utilizing any ofvariety of types of sensors. For example, block 210 may comprisedetermining user location based on (e.g., based at least in part on,based in part on, or based only on) information from a motion sensor(e.g., active, passive, etc.), heat or IR sensor (e.g., detecting auser's body heat), light sensor (e.g., detecting when a light has beenturned on, when light to the light sensor has been interrupted by apassing user, etc.), vibration sensor (e.g., detecting structuralvibrations due to a user walking by), sound sensor (e.g., detection ofnearby noise, voice detection, voice recognition, voice identification,etc.), operation of home control devices (e.g., light switches, watercontrol valves, thermostats, appliances, blinds, ceiling fans, etc.),door operation (e.g., interior door, exterior door, garage door,refrigerator door, washer/dryer door, cabinet door, dresser drawers,etc.), operation of home electronic devices (e.g., computers, stereos,video games, home entertainment systems, intercom systems, etc.). Forexample, loudspeaker location and sensor location may be known, so userproximity detected by a particular sensor may be tied to one or moreloudspeakers (e.g., individually, logically grouped into a set ofloudspeakers or audio zone, etc.).

Block 210 may also, for example, comprise determining user locationbased at least in part on one or more signals received from a personalelectronic device (e.g., a carryable and/or wearable device, a smartphone, a watch, a wireless earpiece, a wearable pendant, a bracelet, aring, etc.). For example, a receiver at a known location detecting awireless signal may determine how close the user is to the receiverbased, at least in part, on signal strength. Also for example, aplurality of receivers receiving a wireless signal at respective signalstrengths may be utilized to triangulate the user's position. Furtherfor example, a personal electronic device worn or carried by the usermay have its own position-determining capability (e.g., GPS, cellulartriangulation, Wi-Fi triangulation, etc.), and then communicate theuser's location within the premises to the media presentation system(e.g., to a loudspeaker, central controller, or other equipmentimplementing one or more aspects of the example method 200).

Block 210 may comprise determining and/or representing location in anyof a variety of representations. For example, block 210 may comprisedetermining a user's exact or approximate coordinates. Also for example,block 210 may comprise determining a zone (or area) in which the user islocated (e.g., a room or region of a home). For example, in an examplescenario in which respective media content is identified (e.g., at block220) for a finite set (or enumerated list) of zones, block 210 maycomprise selecting the zone of the finite set of zones that most closelycorresponds to a user's location (e.g., the zone in which the user islocated, the zone closest to the user's location, the zone in which theuser was most recently determined to be in, etc.). The scope of thisdisclosure should not be limited by characteristics of any particularmanner of representing a user's location.

Block 210 may, for example, comprise determining location of a singleuser or multiple users. For example, in an example implementation inwhich a system implementing the method 200 is providing audio content toa plurality of users, block 220 may comprise determining the location ofeach user and selecting/providing respective audio content to each user.

Various examples of determining or tracking user location are presentedin U.S. application Ser. No. 14/726,019, filed concurrently herewith,titled “System and Method for Providing User Location-based Multi-zoneMedia,” the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. For example, the determined user locationmay be a present location or a predicted location, for example, based onpresent and/or past user movement patterns. For example, a user may beobserved moving from a master bedroom zone 130 toward a kitchen zone120, in which case the user location may be identified as the kitchenzone 120, even though the user has not yet entered the kitchen zone 120.

Note that block 210 may also comprise determining (or tracking) userlocation based at least in part on direct user input to a sensor (e.g.,a sensor incorporated into a loudspeaker enclosure). Non-limitingexamples of such operation are presented in U.S. application Ser. No.14/725,904, filed concurrently herewith, titled “Multi-zone Media Systemand Method for Providing Multi-zone Media,” and U.S. application Ser.No. 14/726,019, filed concurrently herewith, titled “System and Methodfor Providing User Location-based Multi-zone Media,” the contents ofeach of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

In general, block 210 may comprise determining (or tracking) userlocation with a premises. Block 210 may comprise performing suchdetermining (or tracking) in any of a variety of manners. Accordingly,the scope of various aspects of this disclosure should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular manner of performing such determining(or tracking).

The example method 200 may, at block 220, comprise identifying mediacontent based at least in part on user location. Block 220 may compriseidentifying the media content in any of a variety of manners,non-limiting examples of which are presented herein.

The media content may, for example, comprise any of a variety ofcharacteristics. For example, the media content may comprise audioand/or video. The media content may, for example, comprise advertisingcontent, for example advertising content associated with particularzones of a premises (e.g., a kitchen zone, a rec room zone, a familyroom zone, a laundry room zone, a bedroom zone, a bathroom zone, agarage zone, a patio zone, a three-season room zone, a barbeque zone, ashop zone, a bar zone, etc.).

Block 220 may, for example, comprise identifying the media content bysearching a database, table, linked list, or other data structure by thelocation determined at block 210. For example, searching a database byan identified zone may identify media content corresponding to theidentified zone. Also for example, indexing a table by zone may providean efficient mechanism by which media content associated with the zonemay be found. Additionally for example, a linked list may be traversedby an identified zone until a linked data structure associated with theidentified zone is found, where the data structure identifies mediacontent for the zone.

In an example advertising content implementation, a table, database, orother data structure may be established that associates (or links) akitchen zone (e.g., zone 120 of FIG. 1) with advertisements for food,kitchen appliances, cleansers, plumbing services, appliance repairservices, kitchen safety products, etc. Also, a recreation room zone(e.g., zone 110 of FIG. 1) may be associated with advertising mediacontent for recreational equipment, games, television systems, audiosystems, video games, audio and/or video content, etc. Further forexample, a shop or garage zone may be associated with advertising mediacontent for tools, lawn care or landscaping equipment or supplies, homeimprovement stores, snow removal and/or lawn mowing equipment, etc.Still further for example, a bar room zone may be associated withadvertising media content for adult beverages, televisions, games,sports programming, sports equipment, bar furniture and/or appliances,etc. Also for example, a bedroom zone (e.g., zone 130 of FIG. 1) may beassociated with advertising media content for linens, clothing, bedroomfurniture, etc. Additionally for example, a bathroom zone (e.g., zones141 and 151 of FIG. 1) may be associated with advertising media contentfor bathroom supplies, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, etc. Notethat a plurality of zones may be aggregated in a super-zone (e.g., allbathroom zones, all bedroom zones, all entertainment-related zones,etc.)

Though the above examples generally discussed advertising media content,as explained herein, various aspects of this disclosure apply to any ofa variety of different types of media content. For example, particulargenres of music, channels, and/or artists may be associated withparticular zones. For example, a first bedroom zone may be associatedwith content for children, a second bedroom zone may be associated withpopular music, and a third bedroom zone may be associated with smoothjazz and new age music. Also for example, a recreation room zone may beassociated with rock music, a library or study zone may be associatedwith classical music, a shop may be associated with country music, and akitchen associated with world music.

In general, block 220 may comprise identifying media content based atleast in part on location. Block 220 may comprise performing suchidentifying in any of a variety of manners. Accordingly, the scope ofvarious aspects of this disclosure should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular manner of performing such identifyingor by characteristics of any particular type of media content.

The example method 200 may, at block 230, comprise presenting theidentified media content. Block 230 may comprise presenting theidentified media content (e.g., as identified at block 220) in any of avariety of manners, non-limiting examples of which are provided herein.

For example, block 230 may comprise generating and communicating signalsto loudspeaker circuitry that cause a set of one or more loudspeakersassociated with the identified location (e.g., an audio presentationzone) to output the identified media content. For example, block 230 maycomprise presenting the identified audio content at a set ofloudspeakers associated with an identified zone and having selectedaudio presentation characteristics (e.g., selected volume, equalization,etc.). Note that each audio presentation zone may be associated with itsown set of loudspeakers and its own set of audio presentationcharacteristics, which may also be user-specific in each zone.

Block 230 may, for example, comprise playing the identified audiocontent at a current loudspeaker or central controller implementing themethod 200 or a portion of the method 200. Block 230 may also, forexample, comprise playing the identified audio content at a currentloudspeaker different from the loudspeaker or central controllerimplementing the method 200 or a portion of the method 200.

Block 230 may, for example, comprise presenting the identified mediacontent at the location (or zone) determined at block 210. Block 230 mayalso comprise presenting the identified media content at other locationsof the system, for example at zones adjacent to the identified location(or zone), at all zones serviced by the system, at the determinedlocation (or zone) and a predicted next zone to which the user isexpected to move, etc. For example, block 230 may comprise combining theidentified media content with other content (e.g., channel, program,etc.) being presented. For example, block 230 may comprise inserting theidentified media content in an audio or video stream (e.g., during acommercial break).

Various examples of manners in which block 230 may present theidentified media content are also provided in U.S. application Ser. No.14/725,904, filed concurrently herewith, titled “Multi-zone Media Systemand Method for Providing Multi-zone Media,” and U.S. application Ser.No. 14/726,019, filed concurrently herewith, titled “System and Methodfor Providing User Location-based Multi-zone Media,” the contents ofeach of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

In general, block 230 may comprise presenting the identified mediacontent, for example as identified at block 220. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of this disclosure should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular type of media content or of anyparticular manner of presenting media content.

The example method 200 continues execution at block 295. The continuedexecution may comprise any of a variety of characteristics. For example,block 295 may comprise looping execution flow back up to any of theprevious blocks of the example method 200 and/or to any flow diagramblock discussed herein.

For example, block 295 may loop execution flow back up to block 210 forcontinued determination of user location and identification/presentationof media content associated with the user's location. In such ascenario, as a user moves from a first zone to a second zone, the mediacontent presented may change. For example, when a user is located in akitchen zone the system may present kitchen-related advertising contentto the user, and when the user moves to the recreation room the systemmay present recreation-related advertising content to the user.

The example method 200 may be performed by any of a variety of media(e.g., audio, video, etc.) system components, for example componentslocal to a premises and/or components remote from the premises. In afirst example configuration, blocks 210 and 230 may be performed by acentral controller and/or speakers of a premises audio system, and block220 may be performed by a computing system (e.g., a content provider)remote from the premises. Such distributed operation is discussedherein. In another example scenario, for example in which the identifiedmedia content has already been downloaded to a premises system (e.g.,prior to the execution of the method 200, or block thereof), one or moreof the premises audio system components may perform the entire method200.

The above discussion of the example method 200 discussed above generallyconcerned identifying media content based on user location (e.g.,location within a premises). Other factors in addition to, or insteadof, location may be considered. An example method in which both userlocation and user identity are utilized to identify and present mediacontent will now be discussed.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an example method 300 for providingzone-specific media, in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

The example method 300 begins executing at block 305. The example method300 may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causes orconditions, non-limiting examples of which are presented herein. Block305 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with block 205 ofthe example method 200 shown in FIG. 2 and discussed herein.

The example method 300 may, at block 310, comprise determining (ortracking) user location within a premises. Block 310 may comprisedetermining user location in any of a variety of manners, non-limitingexamples of which are presented herein. Block 310 may, for example,share any or all characteristics with block 210 of the example method200 shown in FIG. 2 and discussed herein.

The example method 300 may, at block 315, comprise identifying a user.Block 315 may comprise identifying the user in any of a variety ofmanners, non-limiting examples of which are presented herein.

For example, various sensors may be utilized to determine not only userlocation, but also the identity of the user. For example, in an examplescenario utilizing personal electronic devices to track a user, apersonal electronic device may be associated with a respective userthereof. Also for example, in a scenario in which audio sensors areutilized to track a user, a user's voice may be utilized to identify theuser (e.g., utilizing voice recognition and/or identificationtechnology). Additionally for example, in a scenario in which avibration sensor is utilized to identify the user, the user may beidentified by the magnitude of the vibration (e.g., due to user mass),the gate of the vibration (e.g., due to stepping cadence), etc. Furtherfor example, assumptions regarding user identification and/or locationmay be utilized to identify a user (e.g., assumptions based on apredicted movement pattern for a known user, assumptions based on theidentification of a user at an immediately adjacent sensor or area,assumptions based on a user being the only user detected in a premisesthus far, etc.). As an example, a user detected yet not explicitlyidentified in an audio presentation zone may be presumptively identifiedas the user that was just identified in an immediately adjacent audiopresentation zone. Also for example, a user detected yet not explicitlyidentified in front of the television during Monday night football maybe presumptively identified as the user that is typically identified atthat location at that time.

As will be discussed herein, user identification information may beutilized to select the media content to be presented to the user, forexample at the determined user location.

Various examples of determining user identity are presented in U.S.application Ser. No. 14/725,904, filed concurrently herewith, titled“Multi-zone Media System and Method for Providing Multi-zone Media,” andU.S. application Ser. No. 14/726,019, filed concurrently herewith,titled “System and Method for Providing User Location-based Multi-zoneMedia,” the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Note that blocks 310 and 315 may be performed for a plurality of users.For example, each of a plurality of users may be at different respectivelocations (e.g., at different respective zones) in a premises. In such ascenario, the methods 200 and/or 300 may be performed separately and inparallel for each user. In another example scenario, a plurality ofusers may be in a same zone. In such a scenario, the method 300 maycomprise determining which user, if any, to identify for the selectionand/or presentation of audio content in the zone. This will be discussedin more detail below.

In general block 315 may comprise identifying a user. Accordingly, thescope of this disclosure should not be limited by any particular mannerof identifying a user.

The example method 300 may, at block 320, comprise identifying mediacontent based at least in part on user location and user identity. Block320 may comprise identifying the media content in any of a variety ofmanners, non-limiting examples of which are presented herein. Note thatblock 320 may share any or all characteristics with block 220 of theexample method 200 shown in FIG. 2 and discussed herein.

Block 320 may, for example, comprise identifying the media content bysearching a database, table, linked list, or other data structure by theuser location determined at block 310 and by the user identitydetermined at block 315. For example, searching a database by anidentified zone of a premises and a user identity may identify mediacontent corresponding to the identified zone and identified user. Alsofor example, indexing a table by zone and user identity may provide anefficient mechanism by which media content associated with the zone anduser may be found. Additionally for example, a linked list may betraversed by zone and user identity until a linked data structureassociated with the zone and user identity is found, where the datastructure identifies media content for the identified zone and user.

In an example advertising content implementation, a table, database, orother data structure may be established that associates (or links) akitchen zone (e.g., zone 120 of FIG. 1) and first user withadvertisements for healthy food products, kitchen appliances, cleansers,plumbing services, appliance repair services, kitchen safety products,etc. The kitchen zone and a second user may, for example, be associatedwith advertisements for snacks, energy drinks, and sweetened cereal. Thekitchen zone may also be associated with a default set of media content,for example a general set of kitchen-related goods and services that maybe identified by block 320 when the user cannot be identified (or whenno user has been identified), when multiple users in the kitchen haveconflicting identified media content, etc.

In another example, a recreation room zone (e.g., zone 110 of FIG. 1)and a first user may be associated with advertising media content foradult beverages, automobiles, tools, etc. The recreation room zone and asecond user may be associated with advertising media content for videogames, music, teen fashion, popular music, and movies. The recreationroom zone may also be associated with a default set of media content,for example a general set of recreational goods and services that may beidentified by block 320 when the user cannot be identified (or when nouser has been identified), when multiple users in the recreation roomhave conflicting identified media content, etc.

Though the above examples generally discussed advertising media content,as explained herein, various aspect of this disclosure apply to any of avariety of different types of media content. For example, particulargenres of music, channels, and/or artists may be associated withparticular zones. For example, a first bedroom zone and a first user maybe associated with content for children, while the first bedroom zoneand a second user may be associated with traditional jazz. Also forexample, a recreation room zone and a first user may be associated withrock music, and the recreation room zone and a second user may beassociated with country music. Additionally for example, a kitchen zoneand a first user may be associated with smooth jazz, the kitchen zoneand a second user may be associated with world music, the kitchen zoneand a third user may be associated with classical music, and the kitchenzone may have a default association with popular music.

In various example scenarios, there may be multiple users at or near alocation (e.g., in an area or zone), where each of the users isassociated with different media content in the zone. For example, afirst user and a second user may be in a kitchen, where the first useris associated with kitchen advertising content for kitchen appliances,cleansers, juice, and healthy food options, and the second user isassociated with kitchen advertising content for snacks, energy drinks,and juice. In such a scenario, block 320 may comprise resolving theconflict, for example by identifying media content common to both users,by selecting media content associated with the higher-priority user,etc. Non-limiting examples of such conflict resolution are presentedherein.

In an example implementation, block 320 may comprise determining whichaudio content to present based at least in part on user priority. A userpriority may, for example, be user-configurable, but may also beconfigurable by a third party (e.g., by a content provider, etc.). Forexample, users of a system implementing the method 300 may be assignedrespective priorities that block 320 may utilize to resolve mediapresentation conflicts. For example, a head of household or primarypurchaser may be assigned a top priority, and other users may beassigned other respective priorities (e.g., based on purchasing power,based on purchasing habits, based on gender, based on age, etc.). In anexample scenario, a higher priority user may essentially take over azone, at least with regard to particular content (e.g., advertisingcontent, music content, channel content, etc.). Then when the higherpriority user leaves the area being served by the taken-over zone,conflict resolution may again be performed for those remaining Usersmay, for example, be assigned a same priority, in which case one or moreother conflict resolution criteria may be utilized (e.g.,first-come-first-served, content-based priority, alternating contentbetween users, etc.).

Conflict resolution criteria may also be time-based. For example, userpriority or any of the conflict resolution criteria discussed herein maychange according to time-of-day. For example, a first user may have toppriority during the morning and afternoon, while a second user may havetop priority during the evening. Such operation may also, for example,be extended to day-of-week, for example, changing priorities based onday-of-week and/or time-of-day.

Note that user-based prioritization or other conflict resolutioncriteria may be location (or zone) specific. For example, a user mighthave a highest priority for the user's bedroom and a game room, whileanother user might have highest priority in common areas of thepremises.

In another example implementation, block 320 may comprise determiningwhich media to present in a zone based at least in part on contentpriority. For example, particular content (e.g., content from apreferred advertiser, time-sensitive advertising content, etc.) may havepriority over other content. For example, in an example scenario inwhich multiple users are located in a same zone and different respectivemedia content is associated with each of the respective users, block 320may comprise selecting from the different respective media content basedon priority of the content.

In still another example implementation, block 320 may comprisedetermining which media to present in a zone on afirst-come-first-served basis (e.g., based on the first user to enterthe zone). Such operation may be universal (e.g., throughout thepremises) or zone-by-zone. For example, a family room might bedesignated as a zone in which media content is determined on afirst-come-first-served basis, while kitchen and dining room zones mightbe designated as zones in which a user-based priority and/orcontent-based priority is utilized. Also for example, block 320 maycomprise utilizing a first-come-first-served decision criterion when aconflict involves multiple users having a same priority.

In yet another example implementation, block 320 may comprisedetermining media content to present in a zone in a round-robin fashion(i.e., cycling through the users in the zone). For example, in anexample scenario in which three users are identified in a zone, block320 may identify first advertising content based on the first user,second advertising content based on the second user, third advertisingcontent based on the third user, fourth advertising content based on thefirst user, fifth advertising content based on the second user, etc.

In yet another example implementation, block 320 may compriseidentifying the media content based on a rating of the content (e.g.,adult oriented advertising, etc.). For example, in an example scenarioin which block 320 might normally have identified media contentcomprising an advertisement for an adult beverage, if block 315identified a child user in the zone, block 320 may instead identifymedia content more appropriate for the child.

In still another example implementation, block 320 may compriseidentifying the media content based at least in part on a “locked”status. For example, a user that desires to be presented with mediacontent in a zone may lock the zone to the user's identity, thusdisabling various prioritization functionality. In such a manner, a userenjoying media content in a zone may lock the zone to the user so thatonly the user's identity will be used by block 320 to identify mediacontent, regardless of the presence of other users.

Block 320 may, for example, comprise identifying the media content in adefault manner for the zone. For example, when no user is detected in azone or a user is detected but not identified, block 320 may compriseidentifying the media content based on the zone alone (e.g., inaccordance with the operation of block 220 of the example method 200 ofFIG. 2). As discussed herein, default media content for a zone may alsobe utilized in a scenario in which there are multiple users identifiedin a zone, or for example multiple users with same respective prioritiesin a zone.

In general, block 320 may comprise identifying media content based atleast in part on user location and user identification. Block 320 maycomprise performing such identifying in any of a variety of manners.Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of this disclosure should notbe limited by characteristics of any particular manner of performingsuch identifying or by characteristics of any particular type of mediacontent.

The example method 300 may, at block 330, comprise presenting theidentified media content. Block 330 may comprise presenting theidentified media content in any of a variety of manners, non-limitingexamples of which are presented herein. Block 330 may, for example,share any or all characteristics with block 230 of the example method200 shown in FIG. 2 and discussed herein.

The example method 300 continues execution at block 395. The continuedexecution may comprise any of a variety of characteristics. For example,block 395 may comprise looping execution flow back up to any of theprevious blocks of the example method 300 and/or to any flow diagramblock discussed herein.

For example, block 395 may loop execution flow back up to block 310 forcontinued determination of user location and identification, andidentification/presentation of media content associated with the user'slocation. In such a scenario, as a user moves between zones and/or theuser population in a zone changes, the media content presented maychange.

As explained herein, the example methods 200, 300, and 600 presentedherein, or any portion thereof, may be performed by one or moreloudspeakers, a central media controller (e.g., for a premises), aremote system (e.g., of a media content provider), or other apparatus.Such performance may be performed by a single system component, by aplurality of components distributed throughout a premises, by aplurality of components distributed through a premises and remote fromthe premises, etc. FIG. 4 provides a non-limiting example of a systemthat may implemented any of the example methods presented herein or anyportion thereof.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example media system 400, in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure. The example media system400 may, for example, operate to or be operable to perform any or all ofthe functionality discussed herein (e.g., with regard to the examplemethods illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, and discussed herein). Themedia system 400 may, for example, comprise any of a variety of mediasystems and/or media system components. For example, the media system400 may comprise a loudspeaker, a media controller, a television, aremote server of a content provider, etc., but the scope of thisdisclosure is not limited thereto. The media system 400 may, forexample, share any or all characteristics with the loudspeakers orcontroller 111 shown in FIG. 1.

The media system 400 may, for example, comprise a power supply module402. The power supply module 402 may, for example, comprise electricalcircuitry operable to receive and/or prepare electrical power forutilization by the other modules of the media system 400. The powersupply module 402 may, for example, comprise an A/C power module adaptedfor plugging into a premises power outlet and/or for direct integrationinto the A/C power system of a premises. The power supply module 402 mayalso, for example, be operable to receive and/or prepare electricalpower from a power-over-Ethernet (POE) system. The power supply module402 may additionally, for example, be operable to receive and/or preparebattery power (e.g., manage battery operation for power supply,recharging, etc.). The power supply module 402 may also, for example, beoperable to provide electrical power (e.g., via Ethernet or otherwiring) to other media presentation devices (e.g., to otherloudspeakers).

The example media system 400 may also, for example, comprise a userinterface module 404. The user interface module 404 may, for example, beoperable to perform any or all of the user interface functionalitydiscussed herein. For example, the user interface module 404 may beoperable to perform the user and/or output functionality discussedherein with regard to at least the example method 200 illustrated inFIG. 2, the example method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3, and the examplemethod 600 illustrated in FIG. 6.

For example, the user interface module 404 may comprise any one or moreof a variety of sensors for user input. For example, the user interfacemodule 404 may comprise a touch sensor and associated circuitry forprocessing touch inputs. The touch sensor for user touch input may, forexample, comprise a touch pad, touch screen, heat sensor, capacitivesensor, piezo-resistive sensor, piezo-electric sensor, light sensor,MEMS inertial sensor, etc. The touch input may, for example, comprise atap input (e.g., single-tap, double-tap, n-tap, etc.). The touch inputmay, for example, comprise a touch input on a graphical user interfacefeature being presented to the user on a touch screen. The touch inputmay also, for example, comprise a swipe input (e.g., for adjustment ofmedia presentation characteristics, like volume, etc.). Also forexample, the user interface module 404 may comprise a microphone sensorand associated circuitry for processing audible inputs (e.g., voicecommands).

The sensors may, for example, be included on or within an enclosure ofthe media system 400 (e.g., in a single or multiple enclosure system).Additionally for example, the sensors may be physically separate fromvarious enclosures of the media system 400. As discussed herein, forexample, touch sensors and/or microphones may be incorporated intoswitch plates, door frames, doors, etc., and thus need not necessarilybe physically integrated with the media system 400 or any componentthereof. In such example implementations, the sensors may be hardwiredwith the media system 400 and/or may wirelessly communicate with themedia system 400. In a wireless communication scenario, the userinterface module 404 may utilize wireless communication capability ofthe communication interface module 406 discussed herein.

The user interface module 404 may also, for example, comprise any one ormore of a variety of user output devices (e.g., for providing audioand/or video media to a user, for providing audio feedback to a user,for visual output feedback to a user, etc.). For example, the userinterface module 404 may operate to provide output to the user toindicate the mode of operation in which the media system 400 isoperating, to indicate the media output characteristics of the mediacurrently being presented to the user, to output user input features(e.g., graphical user interface features), etc.

The user interface module 404 may further, for example, operate tointerface with a remote control device (e.g., a dedicated remote controldevice, a smart phone, etc.). For example, the user interface module 404may utilize the communication interface module 406 to communicate withthe user's smart phone.

The example media system 400 may additionally, for example, comprise acommunication interface module 406. The communication interface module406 may, for example, be operable to perform any or all of thecommunication functionality discussed herein (e.g., in the discussionsof FIGS. 1-6). Such communication functionality may, for example,comprise communicating with other systems or devices (e.g., otherloudspeakers, central controllers, media servers, etc.). Suchcommunication functionality may, for example, comprise communicatinginformation regarding general system operation, user inputs, zoneidentification, user identification, media content, etc.

The communication interface module 406 may, for example, be operable toestablish, maintain, and utilize communication links with other devices(e.g., with loudspeakers, with a central media controller, with a localmedia server within a premises over a local area network, with a remotemedia server outside of a premises over the Internet, cable, landlineand/or other networks, with remote control devices, smart phones, smartwatches, etc.). The communication interface module 406 may, for example,be operable to communicate over wired, wireless, or optical links.

The communication interface module 406 may, for example, be operable tointerface with a wired and/or wireless local area network (LAN),personal area network (PAN), wide area network (WAN), etc. Thecommunication interface module 406 may, for example, be operable tointerface with a telecommunication network (e.g., cellular, landline,satellite, etc.), a television network (e.g., cable, satellite, etc.),etc. The communication interface module 406 may, for example, beoperable to communicate utilizing any of a variety of standard and/orproprietary communication protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth,near field, 4G, 5G, LTE, MoCA, 802.15, etc.).

The example media system 400 may also, for example, comprise a userlocation module 410. The user location module 410 may, for example, beoperable to perform any or all of the user-locating functionalitydiscussed herein. For example, the user location module 410 may beoperable to perform functionality discussed herein with regard to block210 of the example method 200 shown in FIG. 2; block 310 of the examplemethod 300 shown in FIG. 3; block 610 of the example method 600 shown inFIG. 6; etc.

For example, the user location module 410 may be operable to determine alocation of a user in a premises. For example, the user location module410 may be operable to identify a zone in which the user is present,coordinates of a user, etc. The user location module 410 may, forexample, be operable to determine respective locations of multiple users(e.g., in different respective zones, in same zones, etc.).

The example media system 400 may also, for example, comprise a useridentification module 415. The user identification module 415 may, forexample, be operable to perform any or all of the user-identifyingfunctionality discussed herein. For example, the user identificationmodule 415 may be operable to perform functionality discussed hereinwith regard to block 315 of the example method 300 shown in FIG. 3;block 615 of the example method 600 shown in FIG. 6; etc.

For example, the user identification module 415 may be operable toidentify a user in a premises and/or in a zone of a premises. Forexample, the user identification module 415 may be operable to identifyone or more users in a zone identified by the user location module 410.The user identification module 415 may, for example, be operable todetermine respective identifications of multiple users (e.g., indifferent respective zones, in same zones, etc.).

The example media system 400 may also, for example, comprise a mediaselection module 420. The media selection module 420 may, for example,be operable to perform any or all of the media selection functionalitydiscussed herein. For example, the media selection module 420 may beoperable to perform functionality discussed herein with regard to block220 of the example method 200 shown in FIG. 2; block 320 of the examplemethod 300 shown in FIG. 3; block 620 of the example method 600 shown inFIG. 6; etc.

For example, the media selection module 420 may be operable to selectmedia content based, at least in part, on a user location determined bythe user location module 410. Also for example, the media selectionmodule 420 may be operable to select media content based, at least inpart, on a user identity determined by the user identification module415 (e.g., in conjunction with the user location determined by the userlocation module 410). For example, the media selection module 420 may beoperable to select media content to present in one or more zones of apremises, where the same media content may be selected for presentationin more than one zone (or all zones) and/or different respective mediacontent may be selected for presentation in different respective zones.

The example media system 400 may also, for example, comprise a mediapresentation module 430. The media presentation module 430 may, forexample, be operable to perform any or all of the media presentationfunctionality discussed herein. For example, the media presentationmodule 430 may be operable to perform functionality discussed hereinwith regard to block 230 of the example method 200 shown in FIG. 2;block 330 of the example method 300 shown in FIG. 3; blocks 630 of theexample method 600 shown in FIG. 6; etc.

For example, the media presentation module 430 may be operable topresent media content identified by the media selection module 420(e.g., at a user location determined by the user location module 410).For example, the media presentation module 430 may be operable topresent media content in one or more zones of a premises, where the samemedia content may be presented in more than one zone (or all zones)and/or different respective media content may be presented in differentrespective zones.

The example media system 400 may, for example, comprise a processor 490and a memory 495. Any or all of the functionality or associated modulesdiscussed herein may, for example, be implemented in hardware and/orimplemented using a combination of hardware and software (e.g., aprocessor operating in accordance with software instructions stored on anon-transitory computer-readable medium). For example, the processor 490may operate in accordance with software instructions stored in thememory 495 to implement all or any part of the modules discussed herein.The processor 490 may, for example, comprise one or more of ageneral-purpose microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microcontroller, etc.The memory 495 may, for example, comprise one or more of a non-volatileand/or volatile memory. Note that the memory 490 may also be utilizedfor storing media content, media presentation characteristics, userprofile information, etc.

As discussed herein, the various aspects of the present disclosure maybe performed by a single component of a media system, by multiplecomponents of a media system at a premises, by multiple components of amedia system distributed within a premises and remote from the premises.An illustrative example of a distributed media system is shown at FIG.5. In particular, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example media system500 for providing zone-specific media, in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure.

The example media system 500 comprises the premises 100 of FIG. 1. Theexample premises 100 comprises a plurality of zones 110, 120, 130, etc.The example premises 100 also includes a central media controller 111.The media controller 111 may, for example, perform any or all aspects ofthe example methods 200 and 300 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussedherein.

The example media system 500 also comprises a remote system 590 remotefrom the premises 100. The remote media system 590 may, for example,comprise a media content server system of a media content provider. Theremote media system 590 may, for example, perform any or all aspects ofthe example methods 200 and 300 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussedherein. The remote media system 590 and the central media controller 111of the premises 100 are communicatively coupled to each other over acommunication network 580 (e.g., the Internet, a cable communicationnetwork, a telephone line communication network, a wide area network, acampus area network, etc.).

In an example scenario, the central media controller 111 of the premises100 and the remote media system 590 each perform respective aspects ofthe functionality discussed herein. An example of such functionality isshown in FIG. 6. In particular, FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an examplemethod 600 for providing zone-specific media, in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure. FIGS. 5 and 6 will now be discussedtogether. FIG. 6, for example, is shown having two parallel flows, withthe left side flow being performed by the central media controller 111of the premises 100 (e.g., or any of a variety of types of apparatus inthe premises 100), and the right side flow being performed by the remotemedia system 590 (e.g., or any of a variety of types of apparatus remotefrom the premises 100).

The example method 600 begins executing at the media controller 111 ofthe premises 100 at block 605A, and begins execution at the remoteserver 590 remote from the premises 100 at block 605B. The method 600may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causes orconditions. Blocks 605A and 605B may, for example, share any or allcharacteristics with blocks 205 and 305 of the example methods 200 and300 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussed herein.

The example method 600 may, at block 610, comprise the media controller111 of the premises 100 determining (or tracking) user location withinthe premises 100. Block 610 may comprise determining user location inany of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which arepresented herein. Block 610 may, for example, share any or allcharacteristics with blocks 210 and 310 of the example methods 200 and300 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussed herein.

The example method 600 may, at block 615, comprise the media controller111 identifying a user. Block 615 may comprise identifying the user inany of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which arepresented herein. Block 615 may, for example, share any or allcharacteristics with block 315 of the example method 300 shown in FIG. 3and discussed herein.

The example method 600 may, at block 620, comprise identifying mediacontent based at least in part on user location and/or user identity.Block 620 may comprise identifying the media content in any of a varietyof manners, non-limiting examples of which are presented herein. Notethat block 620 may share any or all characteristics with blocks 220 and320 of the example methods 200 and 300 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 anddiscussed herein.

Block 620 is shown performed in first part by the media controller 111of the premises 100 and in second part by the remote media system 590.Block 620A may, for example, comprise the media controller 111communicating user location information (e.g., as determined at block610) and/or user identity information (e.g., as determined at block 615)to the remote media system 590. The media controller 110, an example ofwhich 400 is shown at FIG. 4, may utilize a communication interfacemodule 406 to communicate such information to a reciprocal communicationinterface module of the remote media system 590 over the communicationnetwork 580.

Block 620B may, for example, comprise the remote media system 590receiving the user location information and/or user identity informationfrom the central media controller 111. The remote media system 590 may,for example, receive such information at a communication interfacemodule (e.g., like that of the communication interface module 406discussed herein).

Block 620C may, for example, comprise the remote media system 590identifying media content based, at least in part, on the information ofuser location and user identity received at block 620B. Block 620C maycomprise identifying the media content in any of a variety of manners,non-limiting examples of which are presented herein. Block 620C may, forexample, share any or all characteristics with blocks 220 and 320 of theexample methods 200 and 300 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussed herein.

Block 620D may, for example, comprise the remote media system 590communicating the identified media content (e.g., as identified at block620C) to the media controller 111 of the premises 100. Block 620D maycomprise performing such communication in any of a variety of manners,non-limiting examples of which are presented herein. For example, theremote media system 590 may utilize a communication interface module(e.g., like that of communication interface module 406) to communicatethe identified media content to a communication interface module 406 ofthe media controller 111.

The remote media system 590 may, for example, insert the identifiedmedia content (e.g., advertising media content) in a media stream (e.g.,a channel stream, a program stream, a music stream, a playlist stream, amovie stream, etc.) or other form of media communication beingcommunicated to the media controller 111. The remote media system 590may also, for example, communicate the identified media content to themedia controller 111 separate from a media stream being communicated tothe media controller 111. The media controller 111 may, for example,store such content for future use. The remote media system 590 mayadditionally, for example, communicate an identifier of the identifiedmedia content. In such a scenario, the media controller 111 may retrievethe identified media content from a source other than the remote mediasystem 590 (e.g., from a local memory 495, from an Internet site, etc.).

Block 620E may, for example, comprise the media controller 111 of thepremises 100 receiving the identified media content from the remotemedia system 590. The media controller 111 may, for example, receive theidentified media content at a communication interface module 406.

In general, block 620 may comprise identifying media content based atleast in part on user location and/or user identity. Accordingly, thescope of this disclosure is not limited by characteristics of anyparticular manner of identifying media content.

The example method 600 may, at block 630, comprise presenting theidentified media content received at block 620E. Block 630 may comprisepresenting the identified media content in any of a variety of manners,non-limiting examples of which are presented herein. Block 630 may, forexample, share any or all characteristics with blocks 230 and 330 of theexample methods 200 and 300 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussed herein.

The example method 600 continues execution at blocks 695A and 695B. Thecontinued execution may comprise any of a variety of characteristics.For example, blocks 695A and 695B may comprise looping execution flowback up to any of the previous blocks of the example method 600 and/orto any flow diagram block discussed herein.

For example, blocks 695A and 695B may loop execution flow back up toblocks 605A and 605B, respectively, for continued determination of userlocation and/or identification, and identification/presentation of mediacontent associated with the user's location and/or identification. Insuch a scenario, as a user moves between zones and/or the userpopulation in a zone changes, the media content presented may change.

In summary, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system andmethod for providing user location-based multi-zone media. While theforegoing has been described with reference to certain aspects andembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the disclosure without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to theparticular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the disclosure will includeall embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing media content, the systemcomprising: at least one module comprising a processor and a memory, theat least one module operable to, at least: in a database, logicallyassociate respective audio content with each of a plurality of differenttypes of rooms within a premises; determine a location of a user withinthe premises, said determined location corresponding to a particulartype of room of the plurality of different types of rooms; identifyaudio content based, at least in part, on the particular type of room;and output the identified audio content to at least the determinedlocation, wherein the at least one module is operable to identify theaudio content by, at least in part, operating to: search the databasebased, at least in part, on the particular type of room, wherein: if theparticular type of room corresponds to a first type of room of theplurality of different types of rooms, then identify first audiocontent; and if the particular type of room corresponds to a second typeof room of the plurality of different types of rooms, then identifysecond audio content independent of the first audio content.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein: the first type of room comprises a kitchen;and the at least one module is operable to identify the audio contentby, at least in part, operating to search the database based, at leastin part, on a kitchen type of room.
 3. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one module is operable to: in the database, logicallyassociate each of the plurality of different types of rooms within thepremises with a respective different highest priority user; and if theuser is the highest priority user associated with the particular type ofroom, then always identify the audio content associated with the user.4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one module is operableto: logically associate each of the plurality of different types ofrooms with a respective type of advertising audio content; and identifythe audio content by, at least in part, identifying the type ofadvertising audio content logically associated with the particular typeof room.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one module isoperable to said identify the audio content based, at least in part, onthe particular type of room and independent of user identity.
 6. Asystem for providing media content, the system comprising: at least onemodule comprising a processor and a memory, the at least one moduleoperable to, at least: determine a location of a user within a premises,said determined location corresponding to a particular type of room of aplurality of different types of rooms within a premises; receive audiocontent based, at least in part, on the particular type of room; andoutput the received audio content to at least the determined location,wherein: if the particular type of audio zone corresponds to a firsttype of audio zone of the plurality of different types of audio zones,then the received media content comprises first audio content; and ifthe particular type of audio zone corresponds to a second type of audiozone of the plurality of different types of audio zones, then thereceived audio content comprises second audio content independent of thefirst audio content.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein: the first typeof room is a kitchen; and the at least one module is operable to receivethe audio content based, at least in part, on the first type of roombeing a kitchen.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein: in a database, eachof the plurality of different types of rooms within the premises islogically associated with a respective different highest priority user;and if the user is the highest priority user associated with theparticular type of room, then the received audio content is always audiocontent associated with the user.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein:each of the plurality of different types of room of the premises islogically associated with a respective type of advertising audiocontent; and the received audio content is based, at least in part, onthe type of advertising audio content logically associated with theparticular type of room.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the receivedaudio content is based, at least in part, on the particular type of roomand is independent of user identity.
 11. A system for providing mediacontent, the system comprising: at least one module comprising aprocessor and a memory, the at least one module operable to, at least:determine a location of a user within a premises, said determinedlocation corresponding to a particular type of audio zone of a pluralityof different types of audio zones within the premises; communicateinformation of the determined location to a remote computing systemremote from the premises; receive audio content from the remotecomputing system, the received audio content comprising a respectivetype of advertising audio content that is logically associated in adatabase with the particular type of audio zone; and output the receivedaudio content to at least the determined location, wherein: if theparticular type of audio zone corresponds to a first type of audio zoneof the plurality of different types of audio zones, then the receivedmedia content comprises first audio content comprising a first type ofadvertising audio content; and if the particular type of audio zonecorresponds to a second type of audio zone of the plurality of differenttypes of audio zones, then the received audio content comprises secondaudio content comprising a second type of advertising audio contentindependent of the first type of advertising audio content.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein: the first type of audio zone comprises akitchen type of audio zone; and the respective type of advertising audiocontent is logically associated in the database with the kitchen type ofaudio zone.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein: in the database, eachof the plurality of different types of audio zones within of thepremises is logically associated with a respective different highestpriority user; and if the user is the highest priority user associatedwith the particular type of audio zone, then the received respectivetype of advertising audio content is always associated with the user.14. The system of claim 11, wherein: the particular type of audio zoneis a particular type of room; and the respective type of advertisingaudio content is logically associated in the database with theparticular type of room.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein thereceived audio content is based, at least in part, on the particulartype of audio zone and is independent of user identity.
 16. The systemof claim 11, wherein said at least one module is operable to: determinean identity of the user; communicate information of the determined useridentity to the remote computing system; determine an identity of asecond user in the same audio zone as the user; communicate informationof the determined second user identity to the remote computing system;and receive the audio content from the remote computing system by, atleast in part, operating to receive, while both of the first and secondusers are in the same audio zone: first audio content associated withthe particular type of audio zone and the determined user identity; andsecond audio content associated with the particular type of audio zoneand the determined second user identity.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein, while both of the first and second users are in the same audiozone, the received audio content comprises audio content that alternatesbetween the first audio content associated with the particular type ofaudio zone and the determined user identity, and audio contentassociated with the particular type of audio zone and the determinedsecond user identity.
 18. A system for providing media content, thesystem comprising: at least one module comprising a processor and amemory, the at least one module operable to, at least: in a database,logically associate respective audio content with each of a plurality ofdifferent types of rooms within a premises; receive, from a remotesystem, information identifying a location within the premises, saididentified location corresponding to a particular type of room of theplurality of different types of rooms within the premises; identifyaudio content based, at least in part, on the particular type of room;and communicate the identified audio content to the remote system,wherein the at least one module is operable to identify the audiocontent by, at least in part, operating to: search the database based,at least in part, on the particular type of room, wherein: if theparticular type of room corresponds to a first type of room of theplurality of different types of rooms, then identify first audiocontent; and if the particular type of room corresponds to a second typeof room of the plurality of different types of rooms, then identifysecond audio content independent of the first audio content.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein: the first type of room comprises a kitchen;and the at least one module is operable to identify the audio contentby, at least in part, operating to search the database based, at leastin part, on a kitchen type of room.
 20. The system of claim 18, whereinsaid at least one module is operable to: in the database, logicallyassociate each of the plurality of different types of rooms within thepremises with a respective different highest priority user; and if theuser is the highest priority user associated with the particular type ofroom, then always identify the audio content associated with the user.21. The system of claim 18, wherein said at least one module is operableto: logically associate each of the plurality of different types of roomwith a respective type of advertising audio content; and identify theaudio content by, at least in part, identifying the type of advertisingaudio content logically associated with the particular type of room. 22.The system of claim 18, wherein said at least one module is operable to:receive information of a first user identity from the remote system;receive information of a second user identity from the remote system;and identify the audio content by, at least in part, operating toidentify for playback, while both of the first and second users are inthe same room: first audio content associated with the particular typeof room and the first user identity; and second audio content associatedwith the particular type of room and the second user identity.
 23. Thesystem of claim 22, wherein, while both of the first and second usersare in the same room, the identified audio content comprises audiocontent that alternates between the identified first audio content andthe identified second audio content.
 24. The system of claim 18, whereinsaid at least one module is operable to said identify the audio contentbased, at least in part, on the particular type of room and independentof user identity.